Red Defeats Blue 9-8 in Inter-Squad Scrimmage

Freshman Alex Dirickson was named the Most Outstanding Player for Equitation on the Flat.

Red Defeats Blue 9-8 in Inter-Squad Scrimmage

9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian

Sept. 26, 2015

By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs competed in the Red vs. Blue inter-squad scrimmage, showcasing both the Western and Hunt Seat teams at the Student Horse Center.

Overall, the Blue team took Equitation Over Fences (3-2) and Reining (3-0) while the Red team captured the win in Horsemanship (4-0) and Equitation on the Flat (3-2). The Red team defeated the Blue team 9-8 at the conclusion of Saturday's event.

"It is always great to see our fans at our events," head coach Eric Hubbard said. "I saw a lot of new faces today and I look forward to them coming to all our home competitions. There are some things that we need to clean up before heading on the road next weekend in order for us to be successful. I would have liked to see a little more from some of our returners on the Western side, they are usually so strong but that spark was missing today. The Hunt Seat team did well, their rides today showed a lot of promise for great things to come. We are on the right track, just need to tune some fine details in order to make big changes."

The day started off with Equitation Over Fences and Horsemanship where sophomore Paige Pastorino rode for a Hunt Seat event-high score of 92 over fences while Alex Peltier (79) and Sierra Swaffer (90) also recorded a point to lead the Blue team to victory. In Horsemanship, Rachel Williams led the Red team to a 4-0 sweep with a high score of 73.5, along with Taeya Harle (72), Morgan Foster (71) and Madison Robinson (72.5) who each scored a point.

Pastorino earned her first colligate Most Outstanding Player accolade in Equitation Over Fences while Williams picked a MOP honor as a sophomore in Horsemanship.

Following an afternoon intermission, the `Dogs were back in action with the Equitation on the Flat and Reining events that were held side-by-side in the two rings at the Student Horse Center.

On the Western side, senior Kayli Gobeli earned a high score of 71 to guide the Blue team to a 3-0 defeat while being named the MOP in Reining. On the flat, freshman Alexandra Dirickson led the Red team earing a 90 and her first collegiate MOP, while teammates Allie Tamouzian (67.5) and Savannah Bernard (68) also earned a point, edging the Blue team 3-2.

"Alex [Dirickson] handled the flat test and her horse very well today," Hubbard said. "It's great to see Paige [Pastorino] get rewarded for her riding, she has worked really hard over the past year to become even better. Rachel [Williams] constancy showed again and is why we look to her in horsemanship. Kayli [Gobeli] has also been working very hard and that paid off this afternoon."

Saturday's scrimmage was the first opportunity fans had to see the Bulldog equestrian team in action on their home dirt, prior to hosting New Mexico State and Texas A&M (Oct. 23-24) in the 2015-16 home opener.

"We will have to ride mistake free when competing next weekend," Hubbard added. "In the upcoming days of practice we are going to focus on cleaning up the things from today and become stronger as a team."

Looking ahead, No. 5 Fresno State will open the regular season with Delaware State on Oct. 2, followed by a matchup with No. 1 ranked Georgia (Oct. 3) in Dover, Del.

Most Outstanding Players
Kayli Gobeli (Reining)
Rachel Williams (Horsemanship)
Alex Dirickson (Equitation on the Flat)
Paige Pastorino (Equitation Over Fences)

Final Team Results
Equitation on the Flat
Allie Tamouzian (67.5) defeated Terra Wallace (63) -- Red
Savannah Bernard (68) defeated Alex Peltier (57) -- Red
Alexandra Dirickson (90) defeated Danielle Schneider (84.5) -- Red
Genna Fogelberg (75.5) defeated Brooke Nelson (73) -- Blue
Lauren Kovanda (65) defeated Alannah Lones (49) -- Red
Demo: Megan Willison (58.5, 64) - Red